Calculator

ABSTRACT

A calculator of the type with successive digit or numeral wheels with improved carryover or transfer means between wheels. Transfer wheels are used between successive digit or numeral wheels. Each digit wheel has a finger or projection which picks up abutments on a transfer wheel for driving it and effecting the transfer or step movement. The transfer wheel has spaced abutments which are picked up by the projection on the digit or numeral wheel. These abutments on each transfer wheel are displaced angularly from ten predetermined stopping positions of the transfer wheel. When there are simultaneous transfers or carryovers of several digit wheels, there is a slight delay in the pick up of each transfer wheel for effecting the transfer with the result that the transfer takes place sequentially thereby eliminating the imposition of a sudden, heavy torque load on a single driving digit wheel.

United States Patent Kasner [s41 CALCULATOR [72] Inventor: WilliamKasner, 1330 l-iollydale,

Fullerton, Calif. 92631 [52] US. Cl. ..235/ 139 R, 235/74 [51] Int. Cl..G06c 7/10, G06c 15/26 [58] Field of Search.....235/74, 114, 109, 139R, 140

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Hook ..235/74 X Murphy..235/139 Vethe ..-.....235/74 Gorbatchewsky ..235/74 X Crowley ..235/74Kesling ..235/74 Burke et a1. ..235/1 14 1 Oct. 10, 1972 PrimaryExaminer-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-Stanley A. WalAttorney-Albert M. Herzig et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A calculator of the type with successive digit or numeralwheels with improved carryover or transfer means between wheels.Transfer wheels are used between successive digit or numeral wheels.Each digit wheel has a finger or projection which picks up abutments ona transfer wheel for driving it and effecting the transfer or stepmovement. The transfer wheel has spaced abutments which are picked up bythe projection on the digit or numeral wheel. These abutments on eachtransfer wheel are displaced angularly from ten predetermined stoppingpositions of the transfer wheel. When there are simultaneous transfersor carryovers of several digit wheels, there is a slight delay in thepick up of each transfer wheel for effecting the transfer with theresult that the transfer takes place sequentially thereby eliminatingthe imposition of a sudden, heavy torque load on a single driving digitwheel.

8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEnucr 10 1912 3.696. 995

50b INVENTOR. 6 W/LL MM KAY/v52 1 CALCULATOR A particular form of such acalculator is shown in the earlier filed application of William Kasner,Ser. No. 94,222 filed on Dec. 2, 1970. This application is acontinuation-in-part of the earlier application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention resides in improvements in addingmachines or calculators. Typically, calculators have a series of digitor counter wheels with transfer means between the wheels such that afull revolution of any wheel makes a step transfer movement of the nextadjacent wheel, that is, a step of one unit, a tenth of a revolution,the counter wheels accordingly being identified as units, tens,hundreds, etc. Typically, counters of this type have the numbers fromzero to nine on each wheel.

ln machines or calculators as referred to, transfer or carryover mayoccur at a plurality of digit or counter wheels at the same time.Typically of course, only one wheel is actually being driven at the timesimultaneous transfers take place. The effect is that a sudden, heavytorque load is imposed on the wheel which is being driven. A primaryobject of the invention is to provide an improved construction whicheliminates or avoids the necessity of this sudden large torque loadingon a single counter wheel. Although the improvements of the inventionmay be adapted in many different forms of calculators, it has particularsignificance in small calculators of the type that are hand operated byway of a stylus.

In calculators of the type referred to, it is of course desirable thatthe entire unit be made small and particularly that it have limitedthickness to facilitate its being carried in a pocket or the like. It isconvenient that a calculator have its parts made out of plastic. Becauseof the small size and weight of the parts, the strength is limited.Thus, the advantage of the invention is apparent in that smaller partsand more particularly, a counter wheel can be used with less sturdyconstruction because less torque load is imposed on them. Thisconsideration applies equally to the transfer mechanism. The realizationof this advantage is an object of the invention. Furthermore,calculators of this type are manually operated by way of a stylus whichis inserted into holes in a counterwheel for turning the wheel. It ishighly desirable that the effort required to turn a wheel in order tooperate the machine be limited; and therefore, a further object of theinvention is the realization of that advantage that less manual effortis required.

Typically, in machines of the type described, each counterwheel has anextending finger or projection which once every revolution will engagewith an idler transfer wheel with the next counterwheel once perrevolution to effect an incremental or step movement of one unit of thenext counterwheel. The improvements of the herein invention resideprimarily in the transfer mechanism. The idler transfer wheels aretoothed wheels which are moved in incremental steps by one digit orcounter wheel and which mesh with the next counter or digit wheel fordriving it. In calculators of the type referred to, each counterwheel ofcourse has ten predetermined positions; and this is also true of theidler transfer wheels.

In the preferred form of the invention as described herein, the idlertransfer wheels are provided with pairs of angularly spaced abutments,the abutrnents of each pair being angularly spaced with respect to theten predetermined positions of the transfer wheel. More specifically,two abutments are spaced apart at the position of the teeth on thewheel. The effect of this is that when a counterwheel makes a revolutionand transfers an incremental step to the transfer wheel, because of saidangular displacement of the abutments, there is a limited delay beforemovement takes place. Preferably, this delay is represented by adisplacement of an abutment in an amount of four degrees, for example,from one of the ten predetermined stopping positions. This delay or lagoccurs with respect to transfer from each counterwheel to the next. Theeffect is that when transfer is to occur at a plurality of counterwheels, transfer takes place sequentially, that is, there is a slighttime delay between starting movement of successive wheels that are beingtransferred. The result is obtained that sudden, heavy torque loading isnot imposed on that counterwheel which is being driven, as will be mademore clear in the more elaborate description hereinafter.

A further object of the invention is to provide for the aforesaidsequential effect when several counterwheels are to be transferred atthe same time and to accomplish this by means as stated.

The pairs of abutments produce the result of a more positive device.Transfer or carryover of one step cannot be effected except in responseto a full incremental step of a counterwheel being dialed since theother abutment of a pair restrains the movement. The realization of thispurpose is an object of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further objects and additionaladvantages of the invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description and annexed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a counterwheel and a transfer wheel;

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of a calculator embodying the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a enlarged partial detail view illustrating the drive of atransfer wheel from a counterwheel;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of slightly modified form of counterwheeland modified form of transfer wheel;

FIG. 6 is a partial plan viewof a calculator embodying counterwheels andtransfer wheels like those of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view showing the relationship between thecounter and transfer wheels of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Except for the transfermechanism, the calculator parts may be like those of the earlierapplication, Ser. No. 94,222 filed on Dec. 2, 1970.

In the preferred form of construction as shown, the calculator embodiesa casing or housing comprising parts which may be referred to as frontand back or top and bottom which may be made of any suitable material,such as plastic or metal. The type of construction shown is one thatproduces a thin calculator. The calculator comprises top and bottomplates and 12 which may be secured together at their edges or otherwisein any suitable way. One side 12 has a plurality of integral pins 14which form the spindles or arbors for the counter or digit wheels andthe idler wheels as will be described. The top and bottom may be stakedtogether if desired. The two parts 10 and 12 may have a peripheral edgeflange which flanges can be brought together and cemented or otherwiseheld by a snap lock securement if desired.

Numerals l6, l8 and designate pins extending from one of the side partsof the calculator and which serve the purpose of holding detent springssuch as that shown at 24. Detent spring 24 has a bowed out part 26, thelegs of which are positioned one between pins 16 and 18 and one betweenpins 18 and 20. At the ends of the bow spring 24, there are bentportions 30 and 32 adapted to engage between teeth of counterwheels sothat the effect is that 10 predetermined stopping positions are providedfor as will be described more in detail presently.

FIG. 1 shows one of the counterwheels at 38 and an idler transfer wheelat 40. These wheels can conveniently be molded of plastic. Thecounterwheel 38 has a center hub 42 and a rim part 44 with ten equallyspaced teeth 46. The hub mounts on one of the arbors 14. It has oneextending pointed finger or projection 50 which is positioned below andbetween two of the teeth 46. Above this projection between the twoadjacent teeth is a small member 52 which strengthens finger 50.

The counterwheel 38 has ten equally spaced bores or holes 54 adapted toreceive a stylus so that the wheel can be manually turned in the usualmanner. Preferably, an arcuate slot is provided in the top wall 10 forinsertion of the stylus through it for operating the counterwheel. Thisslot is designated at 56 and a similar slot 58 is provided in the otherwall 14, the device being operable from either side as in the previousapplication. Holes like holes 54 can be provided on both sides or theymay extend through the wheel.

The transfer wheel 40 has a hub 60 and peripheral part 62 and tenequally spaced teeth 64. The hub can mount on one of the arbors 14. Theteeth on both wheels are 36 apart and each wheel has ten predeterminedstopping positions which is determined by the detent springs as shown at24. Formed on each of the teeth 64 of the transfer wheel are a pair ofabutments 66 and 68 which are adapted to be engaged by the projection 50for effecting the transfer or carryover.

The counterwheels or transfer wheels are arranged in the calculator asillustrated in FIG. 2. The counterwheels are in line, with the transferwheels between counterwheels, but displaced laterally to therebyminimize space.

Referring to FIG. 2, the teeth 46 on the counterwheel 38 do not meshwith the teeth on the transfer wheel 40 but rather move in a differentplane. The transfer wheel 40 is movable in increments only by theprojecting finger 50 on the counterwheel 38 as will be described. On theother hand, teeth 64 on transfer wheel 40 mesh with the teeth on thenext counterwheel 38b. The teeth on these two wheels lie in the sameplane, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Successive counterwheels are invertedwith respect to each other as may be observed in FIG. 3. The same istrue of successive transfer wheels, thereby appearing as shown in FIG. 3and as described more in detail in the earlier application.

Numeral 72 designates a pawl in the form of a bell crank lever pivotedon an arbor 74 within the casing having arms 76 and 78 which are roundedat their ends and which can engage between teeth 64 on the transferwheel 40. Each transfer wheel has a similar cooperating pawl. Theirfunction is to reduce or limit the velocity of rotation during a steptransfer movement and to thereby control the movement which incooperation with the spring detents causes the digit wheels to stop inthe correct position without overrun. In operation, as transfer wheel 40rotates clockwise, a tooth pushes on arm 76 rotating the pawlcounterclockwise. The end of arm 78 moves in between teeth so a toothstrikes its end with a tapping action which accurately stops and indexesthe wheel 'at the correct position. The operation is similar in theopposite direction. Thus, accuracy of the device is assured. The pawlmechanism 72 could take other, specific forms.

All of the counterwheels, transfer wheels, detent springs, and pawlsconform to the description as given above relative to FIGS. 1 and 2.

As previously stated, the teeth on the counterwheels and the transferwheels establish l0 predetermined stopping positions which are governedby the pawls 72 and the detent springs 24. The finger 50 on counterwheel38 is between two teeth as shown. It can be mentioned of course that thetop of cover of the housing of the machine will have openings preferablysquare through which are can read the digits from zero to nine on thevarious counterwheels as illustrated in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the zeronumeral on the counterwheel 38 would be showing through the window.

The operation will be understood from the following considering theenlarged detail view of FIG. 4. From the position of FIG. 2, thecounterwheel 38 has to make a complete revolution in order to impart anincremental step or movement to the transfer wheel 40. As the wheel 38makes such a complete revolution, it will come into a position as shownin FIG. 4 wherein the finger 50 will pick up the abutment 68 of thetransfer wheel 40. The two abutments 66 and 68 as previously pointed outare angularly displaced from the center of the tooth on the transferwheel 40, that is, they are displaced from the angle representing thestopping positions, there of course being ten predetermined stoppingpositions. An exemplary displacement is four degrees for each of theabutments 66 and 68 from the intermediate angle position. Thus, thefinger 50 on wheel 38 does not actually pick up and begin moving thetransfer wheel 40 until it is past the predetermined stopping positionby 4 when it engages the abutment 68. In other words, there is a slightdelay or lag with respect to what would happen if finger 50 picked upanabutment or pin centered on the tooth on the transfer wheel. As thecounterwheel 38 moves around to the position of FIG. 2, the position ofthe parts is as shown in that figure. The transfer wheel 40 is rotatedthrough one incremental step and since it is in mesh with thecounterwheel 38b, it moves that counterwheel through one incrementalstep. If at that time, the. counterwheel 38b is positioned for acarryover or transfer to the next counterwheel 38c, the operation is asfollows. Again, there will be a lag or delay before the finger 50b onthe counterwheel 38b picks up an abutment as identified by 68b on thesecond transfer wheel 40b. A step incremental movement will be impartedto the transfer wheel 40b and since it is meshing with the counterwheel380, it will impart an incremental step movement to that counterwheel.

It should be understood that in the transfer movements to effect a fullstep transfer movement the wheel being driven does not have to be driventhrough a full 36, but it can be driven through less than 36. Theremaining part of the movement is accomplished by the detent springs asshown at 24 which always cause the wheels to stop in one of theirpredetermined positions.

However, it is important to observe that the dual abutment structureidentified by numerals 66 and 68 produces a very positive type ofdevice. A transfer of a step movement cannot occur in response to only apartial step movement of a counterwheel. That is, considering FIG. 4, ifthe counterwheel 38 is moved through an amount of less than a 36increment, the transfer or carryover to the next counterwheel cannotoccur because the transfer wheel 40 is restrained by the other abutment66. Thus, transfer or carryover cannot result from pulsing acounterwheel, that is, by moving it through angles less that 36 with thestylus. The improved characteristic in the herein device is unique,known prior art devices not having a comparable characteristic.

From the foregoing description, it can readily be seen that with respectto the transfer of each counterwheel, there will be delay in thestarting of the transfer movement with respect to successivecounterwheels. Thus, if a plurality of counterwheels are to betransferred at the same time (three or four wheels), because of thedelay as described, the step movements of the wheels will begin not atthe same time but in sequence so that a sudden torque load is notimposed on the driving wheel which would be the one driven by a manuallyoperated stylus. As a result, considerably less effort is required andparts can be made considerably less strong and sturdy. They can besmaller, thinner, and lighter in weight which is a great advantage in amachine of this type.

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 show a slightly modified form of the invention. Theparts are similar to the parts of the previous embodiment, except asexplained hereinafter. Numeral 38' in FIG. 5 designates a counterwheelwhich is like the wheel 38, except that the spacer part 52 between theteeth is omitted. Numeral 40' designates a transfer wheel which is likethe transfer wheel 40 except that is is formed slightly differently, nothaving a hub like the hub 60 and having the abutments differentlyformed. In this form of the invention, they are formed by way of equallyspaced radial notches or grooves 67 formed in the body 62' of the wheel.

The parts are similarly arranged as shown in FIG. 6. As in the previousembodiment, successive counterwheels are inverted with respect to eachother, and the same is true of the idler wheels as illustrated in FIG.6. Finger 50' on counterwheel 38' picks up an abutment formed by oneside of a radial notch 67 and imparts a step movement to transfer wheel40'. This wheel is in mesh with the next counterwheel 38b and imparts anincremental step to it. The purpose of having adjacent wheels in aseries inverted with respect to each is apparent from the drawings inboth modifications. For example, whereas the counterwheel 38 drives thetransfer wheel 40 by way of the finger 50, the transfer wheel 40 havingits teeth in mesh with the next counterwheel 38b drives it. Fingers 50'and 50b do not interfere with each other because these two wheels are inrespectively inverted positions as illustrated in FIG. 8. Fingers 50'and 50b do not lie in the same plane. They are not positioned at thecenter line of the hubs of their wheels, that is, a center line withreference to the axis. Thus although all counterwheels are alike and alltransfer wheels are alike, by inverting successive adjacent wheels asexplained, the result is achieved that a more compact assembly withwheels closer together and with the transfer wheels displaced laterally.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will readily understand thenature and the construction of the invention and the manner in which itachieves and realizes all of the objects and advantages as set forth inthe foregoing.

The foregoing disclosure is representative of preferred embodiments ofthe invention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than alimiting sense. The invention to be accorded the full scope of theclaims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. In a calculator of the type having a series of digit wheels, transfermeans between the digit wheels whereby a complete revolution of a digitwheel transfers a step movement to a subsequent digit wheel, theimprovements comprising said transfer means embodying a singleprojection on a digit wheel, a second wheel to which a step movement isto be transferred by the projection on said digit wheel, said secondwheel being adapted for step movements in increments of one-tenth of arevolution and having a predetermined stopping position, said secondwheel having abutments positioned to be engaged by the projection on thedigit wheel for effecting the step movement, said abutments beingangularly displaced predetermined amounts from said predeterminedstopping positions whereby when transfer is to take place, said digitwheel moves through a predetermined number of degrees constituting adelay before the projection picks'up an abutment on the second wheel andmoves the second wheel.

2. A calculator as in claim 1, having a plurality of similar wheelsadapted for transfer of a step movement from each wheel to a subsequentwheel, there being corresponding delay in movement as between successivewheels such that when there is a simultaneous transfer of a number ofwheels resulting from an incremental movement of the digit wheel, thestep movements take place sequentially thereby eliminating theimposition of a sudden large torque load on a digit wheel.

3. A calculator as in claim 1, including detent means cooperating withthe digit wheels whereby to establish ten predetermined stoppingpositions of each of the digit wheels.

3,696,995 r a Z 8 4. A calculator as in claim 1, wherein said abutments6. A calculator as in claim 1, wherein said abutrnents are arranged inpairs, there being a pair for each of the are fonned by way of radialslots formed in the second ten stopping positions of the second wheel,the abutwheel.

ments of each pair being similarly angularly displaced 7. A calculatoras in claim 1, wherein the second from the angle of the stoppingposition to provide for Wheel is in the form of a transfer WheelPositioned operation in either dir tion, between said digit wheel and asecond digit wheel.

'5. A al l t as i l i 4, h i one f id 8. A calculator as in claim 7,wherein said transfer abutrnents of each pair is positioned to be ableto en- Wheel and a second digit Wheel each have ten leeth gage theprojection on the digit wheel so as to prevent 'F other said transferWheel driving the step movement of the second wheel unless the stepsecond wheelmovement of the digit wheel is substantially executed.

1. In a calculator of the type having a series of digit wheels, transfermeans between the digit wheels whereby a complete revolution of a digitwHeel transfers a step movement to a subsequent digit wheel, theimprovements comprising said transfer means embodying a singleprojection on a digit wheel, a second wheel to which a step movement isto be transferred by the projection on said digit wheel, said secondwheel being adapted for step movements in increments of one-tenth of arevolution and having a predetermined stopping position, said secondwheel having abutments positioned to be engaged by the projection on thedigit wheel for effecting the step movement, said abutments beingangularly displaced predetermined amounts from said predeterminedstopping positions whereby when transfer is to take place, said digitwheel moves through a predetermined number of degrees constituting adelay before the projection picks up an abutment on the second wheel andmoves the second wheel.
 2. A calculator as in claim 1, having aplurality of similar wheels adapted for transfer of a step movement fromeach wheel to a subsequent wheel, there being corresponding delay inmovement as between successive wheels such that when there is asimultaneous transfer of a number of wheels resulting from anincremental movement of the digit wheel, the step movements take placesequentially thereby eliminating the imposition of a sudden large torqueload on a digit wheel.
 3. A calculator as in claim 1, including detentmeans cooperating with the digit wheels whereby to establish tenpredetermined stopping positions of each of the digit wheels.
 4. Acalculator as in claim 1, wherein said abutments are arranged in pairs,there being a pair for each of the ten stopping positions of the secondwheel, the abutments of each pair being similarly angularly displacedfrom the angle of the stopping position to provide for operation ineither direction.
 5. A calculator as in claim 4, wherein one of saidabutments of each pair is positioned to be able to engage the projectionon the digit wheel so as to prevent the step movement of the secondwheel unless the step movement of the digit wheel is substantiallyexecuted.
 6. A calculator as in claim 1, wherein said abutments areformed by way of radial slots formed in the second wheel.
 7. Acalculator as in claim 1, wherein the second wheel is in the form of atransfer wheel positioned between said digit wheel and a second digitwheel.
 8. A calculator as in claim 7, wherein said transfer wheel and asecond digit wheel each have ten teeth meshing with each other, saidtransfer wheel driving said second digit wheel.